Sometimes, we only have a short time to share the Good News of the Gospel. In the story below, you will see how Ukrainian refugees have been delivered to Camp Pearl in Belarus, in transition to wherever they may be headed. However, this transition time is not wasted!  It is at this center where food and rest are supplied. But, most importantly, the Gospel is shared to help these people find rest for their souls. 

As they are passing through, it is with great prayer that the words spoken will take deep root in the hearts of these people, and that one day soon, faith in God will be their hope. May the seeds planted grow speedily, as time is passing fast.  

“Greetings, dear friends!

For the month of September, Zhemchuzhinka (Little Pearl) received 238 refugees. 63 of them were children. Volunteers provide assistance to refugees, that is feeding in the canteen of Zhemchuzhinka, taking them to the bus, and getting on it. Bible hour is conducted by Pastor Igor and Pastor Nikolai. The following are testimonies of some of the refugees . . .

Pavel (38) and Anya (33) were born in Mariupol.

This is the second marriage for the two of them. Pavel has a daughter from his first marriage and Anya has a teenage son and daughter.

February 23, 2022, Paul and Anya began to assume that something was going to happen, they realized it because many people began to leave the city. On February 24, 2022, they woke up in the morning because of an explosion under their window. When they looked out the window, they saw an APC and a tank opposite each other, and a car between them. It was the sound of a car exploding, they say the owner of the car managed to escape. In the morning of February 24, tanks (Ukrainian) stood in front of their house. All the residents of the house were told to run away because there would be a battle. A little later, the [invaders’] tanks arrived, and the fight started. There was nothing left of Pavel and Anya’s house. Since the beginning of the war, they lived for 17 months in Mariupol, four of these months in the basement, then for two months they went to Anya’s parents in another village, which is 19 miles from Mariupol. Pavel and Anya said that they and their neighbors were very friendly and helped each other. Several times Pavel had to bury several neighbors in the ground. There were missile arrivals every day. Noise every day. They said there were dead bodies of people just everywhere. They would bury people in wooden coffins and put a number on the coffin. Under this number there was the full name, age, documents (if there were any) and personal belongings. There was an airplane crash at Pavel’s private apartment. Now Pavel and Anya are going to Denmark. Anya’s daughter from her first marriage is also going with them. Anya’s son decided to stay with his father in Mariupol and Pavel’s daughter now lives in Mariupol with her mother.

In a time of great uncertainty, God is bringing help, healing, and hope to the people of Ukraine through SGA-supported pastors, churches, a seminary, and SGA-supported Compassion Ministry. Be a part of God’s incredible work with your generosity and prayer support.  

Your gift of compassion helps struggling people with emergency aid that generally includes Scripture materials, food, medicine, warm clothing, and shoes.